RALs from fringe, non-bank lenders  Some payday and other high-cost lenders are offering RALs. These loans could be more expensive and riskier than bank RALs.

Shady tax preparers offering phantom RALs  In 2012, some preparers promoted RALs, but apparently did not have the financial capacity to make them to a large number of customers. These RAL offers were allegedly bait-and-switch schemes to get customers into their offices.

Refund anticipation checks (RACs)  RACs do not deliver refunds any faster than the IRS can, yet cost $30 to $55 delivered via check. Some preparers charge add-on fees which can range from $25 to several hundred dollars.”

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Sabrina is also the solo Editor, Publisher and Founder of LLRX.com® – Legal, technology and knowledge discovery resources on the “moving edge” for Librarians, Lawyers, Researchers, Academic and Public Interest Communities – launched in 1996.